House lawmakers Wednesday short-circuited another proposed constitutional amendment, this one on crime victims’ rights, because of concerns about filling up the ballot.

House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 19 received only 65 of the needed 71 ‘yes’ votes for approval, but its sponsor used a parliamentary move to bring it up for a later vote.

This amendment would strengthen the rights provided to crime victims, especially in criminal cases on appeal. Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, said the intent of the measure should make it overwhelmingly popular with lawmakers.

“Public policy demands that we do the right thing on this amendment,” Lang said.

Republicans said the measure is laudable but too risky a maneuver. Lawmakers can only approve amendments for three constitutional articles to be considered this fall, and recall of future governors already has one of those spots. Vetting weightier ideas such as redistricting should take priority, they argued.

“Everyone needs to know what those different possibilities are,” said Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.